Process for extracting metals from living bodies.



- T. M. GL'AGUE. :PRocEss FOR EXTBAGTING METALS FROM LIVING BODIES.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 20 1913.

Patented Jan. 5, 1915.

mm? x Britain,

'the two poles of a'source of current connected to liquids such as water or solu-- the metal is in contact raoonss roa nx'rnao'rmo METALS FROM-LIVING Bon ms.

Specification of Letters Patent.

, Patented Jan. 5, n.

Application filed September 20, 1913. SerialjNo. 790,884.

To'all whom it may concern:

Be itv known that I, THOMAS MALTBY CLAGUE, a subject of the King of Great residing at 11 Grey street, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England, have invented a Process for Extracting Metals from Living Bodies, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a'process for ex tracting metals from living bodies with the object of curing and preventing metallic poisoning.

According tained in a living body are removed by sub mitting the body to a process of electrolysis, being tions of a suitable salt .with which liquids two separate parts of the body are placed in contact. Preferably the part nearest to the part affected or likely to be affected by with the liquid connected with the negative pole. For example in the'case of lead poisoning ,the feet are placed in a bath containing .water, a small quantity added and a metal plate or other electrode connected with the positive pole is put into the bath, while the hands and forearms are placed in another bath connected with the negative pole. A uni-directionaland continuous current is passed through the patient, the lead being deposited in the negative bath. The electromotive forcemay conveniently be about-20 volts.

It is found that the metals which cause poisoning, such as antimony, arsenic, copper, lead, mercury and silver, are those most easily removed from the body by this process,

In the diagrammatic drawing illustrating the invention, a is an insulated vessel c'ontai'ning a solution of common salt for example.

- I is a metal plate connected with the posi to this invention metals con-,

of common salt being preferably ing a part of the body part from which the source, and passing a current tive pole of a battery or other source of electricity 0.

(Z is a conducting vessel connected to the negative pole and containing water for ex-' ample. I e is a rheostat. v ()n passing the current through-the patients body themetal acting as the poison wil be deposited in the ves'sel d.

What I claim is 1. A. process for extracting a metal from a human body whichconsists in immersing a part of .the body .in a conducting liquid, connecting said liquid to the positive pole of a source of. lectric current, immersing another part of the body in a separate conductingliquid, connecting this liquid to the negative pole of said source and passing a current through the body.

2. A process for extracting a metal from a human body from which the metal is to be extracted to the positive pole of a source of electric current, immersing a part near to the part, containing the metal in a. conducting liquid, connecting the liquid to the negative pole of said source, and passing a current the body.

3. A process for extracting a metal from a human body which consists in surroundmetal is to be extracte with a. conducting liquid, connecting said liquid to the positive pole of a source of elec tric current, surrounding part from which the metal is to be extracted with a separate conducting liquid, connecting;this liquid to the negative pole of said through the THOMAS MALTBY GLAGUE. Witnesses:

- A. MrroHINsoN, i

T. S. HERD.

body.

remote from thag a part near to the which consists in connecting a part of the body remote from that part.

through 

